Criminal charges against Catoosa County teacher Sharon Roszell have been dropped, court officials said Friday.
Charges of possession of marijuana and schedule III drugs with intent to distribute, possession of schedule III drugs and possession of more than one ounce of marijuana all were dismissed by prosecutors, officials said.
Ms. Roszell was a computer lab teacher at Tiger Creek Elementary School when she was arrested in November 2009. She was charged along with her husband, Howard Roszell, after a search of their home turned up marijuana, pills and cash. The Catoosa school board voted in December to fire her.
PDF: Catoosa County statement PDF: Sharon Roszell dismissal
A court order filed Feb. 11 states that Ms. Roszell's charges were dismissed "based upon negotiations in Catoosa County Superior Court."
Officials at the Catoosa district attorney's office said Mr. Roszell is scheduled to appear March 9 to plead guilty or have a trial date assigned.
Ms. Roszell's attorney, McCracken Poston, said Friday that the couple "were effectively separated under the same roof."
He said Ms. Roszell expressed appreciation for "the outpouring that her colleagues and parents at the school where she worked and others have given her, including some of her administrators, as well."
Ms. Roszell is "very appreciative" of the legal review and the school board's decision not to seek revocation of her teaching certification, he said.
Catoosa County school officials, however, say Ms. Roszell won't be rehired.
"We have very high standards for the conduct of individuals who are entrusted with our children," Catoosa County Superintendent Denia Reese said in a prepared statement. "(The) board of education determined that there was a preponderance of evidence to find that she should be dismissed from employment as a teacher in Catoosa County Public Schools.
"While the district attorney has dropped the charges against Mrs. Roszell, the evidence that the board of education reviewed to make the employment decision has not changed."